News

Relations between the Ministry of Defence and its select committee have not always been easy. But its chairman James Arbuthnot tells Ben Willis that MoD officials shouldn’t view the committee corridor as enemy territory.

Una O’Brien has taken the helm at the Department of Health as the NHS undergoes the most fundamental reforms in its history. She tells Suzannah Brecknell that persistence and partnership working will make those reforms work.

This week we meet a hospital doctor, who discusses changes to the medical career ladder

This week, an architect explains why school design matters – and warns that current policies will damage pupils’ education.

BIS permanent secretary Martin Donnelly would like to protect an insipid image while his department handles some political hot potatoes and sheds staff. But Joshua Chambers finds that his job is anything but bland.

Schools have improved in recent years, says a primary school teacher, but the renewed emphasis on testing won’t work for all pupils – and the cuts present a danger to many children’s education

Permanent secretaries are clear about the task ahead, says Matt Ross: supporting and empowering their staff.

The Intelligence and Security Committee has helped to foster the intelligence agencies' arrival on the public stage. Now, its new chairman Malcolm Rifkind tells Matt Ross, his committee should be handed control of the spotlights.

It’s Jonathan Slater’s job to transform the justice system. He tells Suzannah Brecknell about the unprecedented approach he’s taking to encouraging preventative interventions, payment by results and voluntary sector delivery.

A local authority employee shares his thoughts on finding savings and driving innovation

The Insolvency Service minimises the harm caused by bankruptcy and company failures. But its chief executive Stephen Speed tells Matt Ross that, thanks to the credit crunch, the service now has its own financial problems.

Ben Willis examines how the administration budget cuts build on previous efficiency drives – and names the departments forging ahead with savings.

This week’s interviewee works for a charity providing social care for people leaving psychiatric hospitals

A teacher reflects on how turning a school into one of New Labour’s academies affects the quality of the teaching, the management – and the logos

At Defra, Helen Ghosh ditched Whitehall’s traditional departmental structure in favour of a fluid, project-based system. Now, she tells Matt Ross, we’re facing an even greater revolution in relations between the centre and the front line

This week’s interviewee is a probation officer with nearly 30 years’ experience – both in the field, and as a trainer

Michael Gove’s flagship reform of the school system is well under way, but questions have been raised over the pace of change and the funding to back up long-standing policy pledges. Suzannah Brecknell reports.

As the spending review rolls on, cross-departmental working seems to be on the agenda at the Treasury. Suzannah Brecknell reports.

This week’s interviewee is a practice manager, responsible for the business and operational management of a major GP partnership

This week’s interviewee works as a learning support assistant in a large city comprehensive school

The new National Security Council will draw a range of departments into crucial decisions on security. Matt Ross reports on the coalition’s attempt to win cross-government consensus in a complex and unpredictable world.

What does the list of the 172 highest-earning public servants tell us about the upper echelons of government? Suzannah Brecknell reports.

This week’s interviewee is a GP with more than 20 years’ experience as a partner in an urban practice

No-one now doubts that Britain faces an era of public spending cuts – but we won’t be the first country to have dealt with them. Matthew O’Toole finds some encouraging examples of how other nations have coped in tough times.